The principal suspect, Muhammad Raza Dar, is a close relative of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Investigators say the women traveled to Pakistan on June 29 after accepting an invitation from Dar, whom they had met in Singapore in October 2025. Police say he also helped obtain their Pakistani visas.
The women were taken to a residence in Lahore’s upscale DHA neighborhood, where they were held captive, repeatedly raped, robbed, and threatened with knives and a firearm.
The suspects demanded a $1.5 million ransom from the victims’ families. The case came to light after the father of one of the women, who was in Spain, called Lahore’s emergency police line to report that his daughter had disappeared and that the family was receiving ransom demands.
Within two hours, Pakistani police located the women, rescued them, and arrested four suspects. The Dutch ambassador to Pakistan also became directly involved after learning that one of the victims was a Dutch citizen.
Medical examinations reportedly found evidence of rape. Police are searching for a fifth suspect, Ali Dar.
Senator Faisal Vawda called the case a “national disgrace” and demanded Ishaq Dar’s resignation, alleging the government was attempting to downplay the case and facilitate the victims’ early departure from Pakistan.
